Robert R. "Bob" Foster

Robert (Bob) Foster went to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on November 9, 2025, in Apopka, Florida, at the age of 79, after prolonged illness.

Bob was born in Atlanta, Georgia on December 24, 1945, to parents William Mitchell Foster and Elizabeth Ramsey Foster. He graduated from Sandy Springs High School in Sandy Springs, Georgia, before obtaining a degree in Industrial Management from Georgia Tech University in 1967. Upon graduation he joined the U.S. Air Force and married the love of his life, Gail Foster.

A proud veteran of the United States Air Force and the Maryland Air National Guard, Bob was a Lt. Colonel who served his country with honor for 28 years. Bob graduated from USAF Officers Training School and Weapons Director School before graduating from USAF pilot training in 1971. He served as a F-4 pilot in the Vietnam War, and also served in support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm from 1990-1995. Additionally, Bob served as an A-10 flight instructor, a Flight Commander, and Chief of

Standardization/Evaluation. Over the years, Bob and Gail ventured across many states, living on eight different Air Force bases until settling in Annapolis, Maryland from 1980 – 1996. In Maryland he was Vice Commander of the Maryland Air National Guard, before retiring from the Guard in 1995. He earned numerous medals and decorations including the State of Maryland Commendation Medal and a Meritorious Service Medal recognizing his outstanding service. Following his military service, he worked for a few years at Westinghouse in military sales and later flew as a commercial pilot for World Airways.

Bob and Gail moved to Central Florida in 1996 and have resided there ever since. As a couple they developed deep and meaningful friendships in Florida, prior to Bob's onset of dementia and Parkinson's disease.

Bob's life was deeply rooted in his faith. As he and Gail moved from state to state throughout their journey, they always served as devoted, active members of the Christian congregations they joined - most recently at the First United Methodist Church of Sanford. In the years prior to Bob's onset of dementia, Bob was an active member of the church choir and various committees of the church. One of his last deeply meaningful experiences before dementia set in was a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in Israel, taken with Gail and close friends, where he found profound spiritual fulfillment.

Bob was a devoted and loyal husband, father, brother, Gramps, and friend. He had a generous heart, unwavering dependability, a loving spirit, and a love of animals – especially dogs. In his spare time, he loved bowling, singing, reading, working on home projects, and spending time with his family. He supported his children through countless activities, sports, and endeavors - cheering on their victories, steady through challenges, and always there when they needed him. Later in life, he helped support his mother-in-law with compassion and care, even as dementia took its toll on her in her last few years. He would do whatever was needed to be there for his family. Bob was blessed to experience this same devotion, love, compassion and loyalty from his wife, Gail, throughout his own long, courageous, twenty-year journey with dementia.

Bob is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 58 years, Gail Foster, of Sanford, FL; his daughter, Jennifer Carrigan (husband Pete Carrigan) of Leesburg, VA; his son Bobby Foster (wife Jennifer Foster) of Chesapeake Beach, MD; six grandchildren (Jillian Sanchez, Elizabeth Carrigan, Alysa Carrigan, Courtney Foster, Josh Foster, and Zach Foster); one great-grandchild ("Charlie" Graves); his sister, Ruth Foster Wyatt (husband Wayne Wyatt), of Clearwater FL; a niece Barbara Williams (husband Steve Williams), great-niece Isabella, and great-nephew Jaime of Bear, DE, as well as various cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Elizabeth Foster, his brother, James Foster, and sister-in-law, Mary Foster.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, November 23 at 2pm, with a viewing from 1:00 – 1:50pm, at First United Methodist Church of Sanford, located at 419 S. Park Ave, Sanford, FL. All are welcome to attend the celebration of Bob's life, as well as the reception immediately following in McKinley Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First United Methodist Church of Sanford in Bob's name.